Closer In Waiting Power Rankings: May 11, 2017: Three New Names Join The List & More
by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
Are you someone constantly on the lookout for the next potential closer? That’s what we are trying to pinpoint here, with our Top 5 Closer In Waiting Power Rankings. These rankings look at the pitchers who appear capable of taking over their team’s respective closing duties (though in some cases, will need some help to get there). Keep in mind, if a pitcher is currently part of a committee they will not be included in these rankings despite not currently “holding” the job outright.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at how things stand:
|
Rank
|
Player
|
Team
|
Current Closer
|
Note
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Corey Knebel (3) | Milwaukee Brewers | Neftali Feliz | Knebel has simply been the better reliever thus far, with Feliz owning a 5.17 ERA while struggling with control and home runs. That’s not a recipe for closer success, and it’s been worse of late (5 BB vs. 2 K last 6.0 IP). May not be long until a change is made. |
| 2. | Archie Bradley (2) | Arizona Diamondbacks | Fernando Rodney | Instead of moving Bradley back into the rotation Arizona has committed to him as a reliever, and also finally deployed him for back-to-back days. That doesn’t mean a change is imminent, but it shouldn’t be too far off. Rodney has earned saves in his past two appearances, but it may take just one more implosion for a move. |
| 3. | Pat Neshek (NR) | Philadelphia Phillies | Hector Neris | Neris has continued to struggle, and his ERA now sits at 4.08 (and he took a L in his most recent outing). The thought had been that Joaquin Benoit was next up, but his implosion likely cost him that. Neshek, meanwhile, has been stellar and could be in line to get an opportunity before long. |
| 4. | Michael Givens (NR) | Baltimore Orioles | Brad Brach | Will it be Darren O’Day who gets an opportunity to replace the struggling Brach? Perhaps, but he’s had his issues of late as well. Givens, meanwhile, has thrived all season and could get an opportunity before long. |
| 5. | Trevor Rosenthal (NR) | St. Louis Cardinals | Seung Hwang Oh | Just when we thought Oh had re-established himself he shows a little crack and has now issued 2 BB in two of his past three outings. That’s obviously a concern for a closer, and with Rosenthal pitching well a change is back on our minds. |
| Honorable Mention | Hunter Strickland | San Francisco Giants | Derek Law | Law got the first opportunity with Mark Melancon on the DL but struggled to get the job done. While Melancon’s absence is expected to be short, Strickland could quickly get an opportunity and is a must grab (but may not get many chances). |
Graduated:
- Justin Wilson (1) – Detroit Tigers
Dropped Off Rankings:
- Ryan Madson (4) – Oakland A’s – He’s trying to force his way into the mix, but for now Santiago Casilla is pitching well and appears to be safe
- Tommy Kahnle (5) – Chicago White Sox – There’s a chance he gets an opportunity, at some point, but it isn’t going to come unless David Robertson is finally traded
Others We’re Monitoring:
- Kyle Barraclough – Miami Marlins
- Luke Gregerson – Houston Astros
- Brad Hand – San Diego Padres
- Felipe Rivero – Pittsburgh Pirates
- Joakim Soria – Kansas City Royals
- Drew Storen – Cincinnati Reds
- Arodys Vizcaino – Atlanta Braves
Injured Setup Men To Monitor:
- Jake Barrett – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Carter Capps – San Diego Padres
- Sean Doolittle – Oakland A’s
- Koda Glover – Washington Nationals
Make sure to check out our Preseason 2017 Prospect Rankings:
| Top 50 Prospects | 1-50 | |
| Catcher | 1-10 | |
| First Base | 1-10 | |
| Second Base | 1-10 | |
| Shortstop | 1-10 | |
| Third Base | 1-10 | |
| Outfielders: | 1-10 | 11-20 |
| Right Handed Pitchers: | 1-10 | 11-20 |
| Left Handed Pitchers: | 1-10 |
Source: http://rotoprofessor.com/baseball/?p=32965
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